Three Illinois Men Arrested For Drug Possession, Unlicensed Handgun

(Dearborn County, Ind.) – Three men from Illinois were arrested Friday, March 21 for allegedly possessing drugs and a handgun.

An Indiana State Police trooper was driving east on Interstate 74 in an unmarked patrol car when he came upon a gold car with tinted windows. Bullock conducted a traffic stop when he was unable to see inside the car.

The driver was Dylan Williams, 23, of Springfield, Illinois. The trooper radioed for backup when he saw the vehicle had two other occupants, Freddrick Johnson, 19, and Avery Sanders, 23.

The trooper then located a compartment under the steering column in the dashboard. When he opened it, the officer found a loaded handgun. The trooper handcuffed the three men and informed them that he had found a loaded handgun in the vehicle. Williams claimed he did not know the handgun was in the car. Johnson later claimed he owned the handgun.

Johnson later admitted to having marijuana hidden in his pants. It was removed when they arrived at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.

When officers were booking Sanders they removed a lighter from his possession. The bottom fell off and officers found what was later field tested and identified as cocaine hidden inside the lighter. Two other lighters were removed from Sanders’ possession and what was later field tested and identified as cocaine and heroin were found inside the lighters.

Sanders and Williams are each charged with Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Handgun (Class B felony). Johnson is being charged with Possession of a Handgun Without a License (Class A misdemeanor) and Possession of Marijuana (Class A misdemeanor). Sanders faces additional counts of Possession of Cocaine (Class D felony), Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Class D felony), and Trafficking with an Inmate (Class C felony).

Each of the men have since been released from the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center. Sanders was released on a $2,500 cash bond and $7,500 surety bond. Johnson was released on a $500 cash bond and $2,500 surety bond. Williams was released on a $2,500 cash bond and a $50,000 surety bond.